Funeral Details

Marcia Podolsky Cooper, age 94

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a Matriarch as a powerful woman in a family or tribe. Marcia Jane Cooper (nee Podolsky) was that and so much more. Marcia passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. She was surrounded by love and knew we would be alright. Marcia was a beloved wife, mother, Nana and Great-Nana, boasting five children, associated sons–in–law and daughters-in-law, 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She left a legacy that is difficult to enumerate. She will be remembered for her red nails, her sense of humor, her cooking, her clacking bracelets, her collection of shopping bags and wrapping paper and her perfectly pressed garments. Marcia was outspoken and never hesitated to state her (always well informed) opinion — whether asked for or not. We came to expect that all-seeing eye and stood a bit straighter when she gave us "the look". Marcia did not like being told what to do and made sure we all knew that she could take care of herself – a trait she came by naturally as a direct descendant (and, before her passing, the oldest surviving member) of the legendary tribe of Dubin women.

Along with raising her family, Marcia kept busy with Sisterhood, Girl Scouts, a robust sewing business with her dear friend, Allene, and making Barbie and then Troll clothes. She added a red thread for good luck in generations of wedding gowns and formal shirts. She tied a red thread in the cribs of legions of babies, along with handmade bumpers, quilts and pillows. Marcia practically patented the family-famous recipe for Orange Spaghetti which was a mandatory side dish for nearly every family gathering.

For nearly 70 years, she devoted her life to her husband Marvin. When Marvin passed three and a half years ago, she felt lost and at the same time bore the responsibility as our Matriarch with grace and dignity. For Marcia, nothing was more important than family. Bringing the family together, in happy and sad times, was absolutely everything. It was loud, it was chaotic, no one finished a sentence and Marcia loved every single minute of it. She didn’t tolerate it when we were mad at each other—and yet, didn’t hesitate to share that perhaps we could have chosen a more appropriate outfit, needed more makeup, a touch of lipstick or a haircut. Marcia was as fierce as a lioness. She loved hard and she loved a lot and insisted we all do the same.

Marcia is survived by her children Sara (Hank-OBM), Michael (Charity), Joel (Cindy), Karen (Scot), and Adam (Melissa), 13 grandchildren: Jill (Marc), Marc (Gina), Matthew (Abby), Charlie (Angela), William, Abby, Caitlyn, Lauren (David), Benji (Amy), Leann-OBM, Emma (Reid), Chloe (Hiro), Jade (Yash) and 18 great grandchildren: Margo, Elyse, Penny, Jack, Mimi, Simon, Albert, Ethan, Gavin, Savannah, Joey, Amelia, Sadie, Emme, Mae, Elle, Avery and Lennon.

The family wishes to acknowledge, with the deepest affection and gratitude, the love and care of Marcia’s devoted caregivers, Rene and Gemma Baudon. Their kindness and compassion knew no bounds and brought tremendous comfort to both Marvin and Marcia for nearly six years.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 10am, graveside, at Ridgelawn – Beth El Cemetery, 5736 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, with Shiva to follow. To view the livestream, please visit our website. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marcia’s memory to Honor Flight Chicago - secured.honorflightchicago.org/donation.jsp. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals – Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com